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Time has flown by so fast. It appears it’s that time of the year when a lot of the freshers are out being annoying and knocking on doors. As an older student, I feel it is my duty to share some of my experiences when looking for a flat.

Some key considerations include rent, location, gender ratio, number of flatmates, flatting with couples, students, workers siblings… the list goes on.

I have always flatted within five minutes from either Central Library or St David’s Lecture Theatre, with four people max (mostly all girl flats), and all were my friends. Rent prices ranged from $87.50 to $100 per week, in addition to the normal food, power, phone, and internet bills.

But there has been trouble in paradise. Yeah, there’s the normal flat dramas – lazy people, people who are unreliable with payments (but always have money for alcohol, still puzzles me) – but this year was the first time I’ve ever had to move out and look for a flat mid-way through the year. Dramas escalated to a whole new level.

So after the dreaded physical labour of moving flats during the break, I have now moved into a six-bedroom flat. At the moment there are three girls and two boys, and we’re still looking for another person (if anyone’s keen…). Luckily I knew one of the boys quite well, but he’s hardly been around, so the ice has been broken with yarns over drinks and telly. I no longer feel like a random… it’s only awkward if you make it awkward.

All in all, my final thoughts on flatting: it’s a bit hit or miss, makes and breaks friendships, and you learn things about yourself and of people, but all these life experiences build up and prepare you for the big wide world – and after spending a crappy year (or half-year) in the Coro St flats, it can only get better!

Time is ticking by and the year almost near its end, so get those heads in those books koutou.

Lisa xx

P.S All those interested in whare whare (Housie) come along to Te Tumu, Wednesday 8 August at 6pm. $10 per person and prizes galore.